rawjuice Posted March 26, 2015 Posted March 26, 2015 I am looking to get something this year, unfortunately im not going to be able to get a more high end model this year due to being in the middle of a bathroom renovation so I was thinking of maybe pullin the trigger on the new elite 3x dsi ff. I know its new so more than likely no one here has seen/used or know much about it but, what do you guys think about this model compared to others around the same price range? Quote
Super User fishballer06 Posted March 26, 2015 Super User Posted March 26, 2015 Is this going on a kayak or a boat? I see your avy has you in a kayak, but I didn't know your purpose for it. The reason I ask is because the models with an "X" in the name do not have a GPS/Chartplotter in there. If that is a feature you want/need, I would suggest something else. Also, if this is for a boat, a 3" screen could be hard to see from afar. Quote
rawjuice Posted March 26, 2015 Author Posted March 26, 2015 Is this going on a kayak or a boat? I see your avy has you in a kayak, but I didn't know your purpose for it. The reason I ask is because the models with an "X" in the name do not have a GPS/Chartplotter in there. If that is a feature you want/need, I would suggest something else. Also, if this is for a boat, a 3" screen could be hard to see from afar. Yes for a kayak, I originally wanted either a 4 or 5 but i think for this year maybe even next year ill just use something a little less expensive which is why im looking at this but not yet sure if i should go with this or something else. Quote
Super User Felix77 Posted March 26, 2015 Super User Posted March 26, 2015 FWIW ... I bought the 4x last year for my yak and love it. I have played with the 3x @ BassPro and it seems to have a lot of the same features but in a smaller package. Head over to the BassPro in Auburn and play with both. You will know quickly if you will like it. Take into consideration how far you will be from the screen. Take the steps back at the store and compare the two. Good luck ... 1 Quote
rawjuice Posted March 26, 2015 Author Posted March 26, 2015 Yea I hear ya, I was planning on getting the 4 hdi, with the DI/GPS, not that you really need a gps on a kayak but it can still be useful i guess, I figure if I have too, get something like the 3x dsi for the downscan imaging, then next year get something better with more options, again, im still debating, I seem to make decisions more harder than they really need to be but if it wasnt for this bathroom renovation, i would have already bought something better and probably already installed lol. Quote
Super User fishballer06 Posted March 26, 2015 Super User Posted March 26, 2015 I recently bought the Elite 4 HDI with the Lake Insight chip. I'm personally using on a bass boat just for the GPS capability. I paid $200 brand new for everything. If you can swing that, I say go for it. The little bit extra screen will probably come in handy. Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted March 26, 2015 Super User Posted March 26, 2015 A HDI model makes more sense than a DSI model. The HDI has traditional 2D sonar too. The 2D gives you more coverage for fishing. 1 Quote
rawjuice Posted March 27, 2015 Author Posted March 27, 2015 I recently bought the Elite 4 HDI with the Lake Insight chip. I'm personally using on a bass boat just for the GPS capability. I paid $200 brand new for everything. If you can swing that, I say go for it. The little bit extra screen will probably come in handy.I saw this on Gander Mountain, 199.99 with chip and screen cover, same model. Does it come with everything you need including tranducer for downscan/2d sonar? Quote
Flywatersmallie Posted March 29, 2015 Posted March 29, 2015 One thing with the DSI, how are you planning to mount the transducer? If you are looking at going through hull, the downscan doesn't work very well that way. Something to keep in mind. I've got the Elite 5x DSI on my kayak. Aside from screen size I am fairly sure they're all basically the same, feature wise. I think you'll be happy with the 3x. Having seen them in person, the 3x doesn't feel small. 3.5" screen seems to work on that unit. Quote
Kevin22 Posted March 29, 2015 Posted March 29, 2015 Watch these ongoing and upcoming spring fishing sales for an elite 4 HDI. They are always on sale for $175-199 (gps model) and $150 for the non gps model. This has a 4.5" screen, and is a very nice little unit. Does everything an elite 5 can do, just half the screen (width wise). Quote
Kevin22 Posted March 29, 2015 Posted March 29, 2015 I saw this on Gander Mountain, 199.99 with chip and screen cover, same model. Does it come with everything you need including tranducer for downscan/2d sonar? Check the description for transducer, because they are offered in both versions. The traditional sonar version will say 83/200khz transducer and the DSI/sonar unit will say 83/200 + 455/800. Quote
rawjuice Posted April 2, 2015 Author Posted April 2, 2015 Any more thoughts for others? Im in no rush to buy one but plan on making the purchase within the next month or so Quote
yakingfisherman Posted April 2, 2015 Posted April 2, 2015 I have an 4x hdi model on my yak and love it. Has sonar and down imaging. I thought about the 3x model but knowing myself I would of regretted my decision the moment I received the unit. I say spend the extra $100 for a 4x hdi model or even better that 4hdi from gander. Don't go cheap now knowing you are going to replace it within the year. BTW, I bought my unit brand new from amazon for under $180. Look around for deals! Quote
Robeng Posted April 2, 2015 Posted April 2, 2015 My vote is elite 5hdi combo. Good pricing right now. Make sure transducer is included. Quote
rawjuice Posted April 9, 2015 Author Posted April 9, 2015 Thanks guys, ill look into that and see. Quote
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